Population Density and Habitat of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat

The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) plays various ecological roles, including seed dispersal, controlling venomous snake populations, and indirectly protecting human communities. This study estimated the population density and habitat use of Indian Peafowl at Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Gujarat. Systematic line transects with distance sampling were conducted from March to May 2022, using seven transects ranging from 0.66 to 1.3 km in length, totalling 46.80 km. The estimated population density was 0.34 individuals per hectare (34 individuals/km²), with group densities of 0.18 and an average group size of 1.87. The best detection model was a uniform function with a simple polynomial adjustment, with an AIC of 289.55. Habitat-specific data showed that 79.41% of sightings occurred in farmed areas, 15.18% in mango orchards, and 7.59% in mixed habitats, indicating a preference for agricultural environments, likely due to greater food availability and suitable roosting sites. These results provide valuable baseline data for future research and conservation efforts.